funeral-industry-news
Written 125 posts
Main Guidance Documents Updated – Lockdown Changes 5 January 2021
6th January 2021
On Tuesday 5 January 2021, mainland Scotland moved from Level 4 to a temporary lockdown. In areas under lockdown, from the start of Friday 8 January, post-funeral gatherings such as wakes or funeral teas are not permitted. These new restrictions were announced by the First Minister on Monday 4 January 2021. The First Minister’s statement is…
Supplementary Form For Cremation Applications – Update
5th January 2021
We previously blogged about when to use the supplementary form for applications for cremation on 3 April and on 17 September. From 5 January 2021 mainland Scotland has been moved from level 4 to a temporary lockdown which is likely to mean that it will again be more difficult for funeral directors and cremation authorities…
Mainland Scotland in Lockdown
4th January 2021
The First Minister has today announced new ‘lockdown’ measures for all areas of Scotland currently in level 4 (all of mainland Scotland). Under these lockdown measures, funeral services may continue and in-person attendance at funeral services continues to be limited to a maximum of 20 people. Funeral-related commemorative events (e.g. scattering of ashes or…
Travel for Funerals Not Impacted by New Restrictions
21st December 2020
The travel restrictions announced on Saturday evening by the First Minister and Prime Minister will prevent cross border travel between Scotland and other parts of the UK and vice versa. However, the move to Level 4 from 26 December will not change the current position on travelling to attend or conduct a funeral. People will continue…
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA): Funerals Market Investigation
18th December 2020
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has concluded its market investigation into funeral services in the UK which was launched in June 2018. The final report was published on Friday 18 December 2020 containing its analysis of, and remedies for, the sector. You can read the final report here.
Appointment of Inspectors of Burial, Cremation and Funeral Directors
11th December 2020
Joe FitzPatrick, Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing has appointed two Inspectors of Burial, Cremation and Funeral Directors. Robert Swanson QPM is appointed as Senior Inspector of Burial, Cremation and Funeral Directors and Professor Gordon Findlater is appointed as Inspector of Burial, Cremation and Funeral Directors. Their appointments are effective immediately. Members of the…
COVID-19: Modelling the Epidemic in Scotland
3rd December 2020
The Scottish Government issues a weekly report on the modelling of the spread and level of COVID-19 in Scotland. The reports are available to view and download here. Modelling allows us to make short-term forecasts of what may happen with a degree of uncertainty. These can be of use in health care and…
Temporary Changes to the Death Certification Review Service
24th November 2020
The Death Certification Review Service (DCRS), run by Healthcare Improvement Scotland, checks on the accuracy of a sample of Medical Certificates of Cause of Death (MCCDs); also referred to as Form 11. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on clinical services, the review of randomised MCCD and Interested Person Reviews, were temporarily…
COVID-19 Sector-Specific Guidance: A Chance To Give Feedback
23rd November 2020
The Scottish Government is running a short project to improve their COVID-19 guidance. To inform this work, we are specifically seeking views from people who use our sector-specific guidance. In order to get your valuable feedback, a short survey has been launched which runs to midnight on Sunday 29 November. https://consult.gov.scot/digital-communications/388883c2 Please…
11 areas of Scotland move into Level 4 and travel restrictions come into force
20th November 2020
From 6pm today (20 November 2020) 11 local authority areas in Scotland will move into Level 4 of the Scottish Government’s Local Protection Levels. More information on which areas of Scotland will move to Level 4 can be found here . Two local authority areas will move from level 3 to Level 2 and the…